Wright County Board Minutes

MAY 11, 1999

The Wright County Board met in regular session at 9:00 A.M. with Mattson,
Eichelberg, Sawatzke, Jude, and Russek present.

Corrections were made to the minutes of 5-4-99: Page 2, 1st paragraph,
2nd sentence, change "Minneapolis" to "Metro" (Mattson);
Page 2, 9th paragraph, 2nd sentence, change "road width" to "culvert
width" (Mattson). Richard Norman, County Coordinator, referenced the
Labor/Management Health Insurance Committee Minutes approved at the last
meeting. The Board motion was to offer the Voluntary Dental Plan through
MN Benefit Association and include it in the Section 127 Flex Plan so employees
would have the option of taking the premiums on a pretax basis. Today, Norman
said the plan will be implemented as soon as possible (probably August)
but that the Section 127 Flex Plan will be amended March 1, 2000. Russek
moved to approve the minutes with the corrections, seconded by Eichelberg,
carried unanimously.

Jude said he removed Item A4, "Claim, Briggs & Morgan, $25,742.22"
to vote against the payment. In response to Sawatzke, Jude said he was not
disputing the claim. He pointed out that during the period, Briggs &
Morgan assisted with rezoning hearings and the Board of Adjustment Summary
Judgement which was lost. On a 4-1 vote (Jude casting the nay vote) the
claim to Briggs & Morgan, $25,742.22 was approved. Mattson removed Item
C1, "Accept Resignation, Rena Westphal, Clerk, Half-Time, Eff. 6-1-99
& Authorize Replacement" in order to convey thanks to Westphal
for her excellent work at the Government Center. Russek moved to accept
the resignation, seconded by Mattson, carried unanimously.

At the last two County Board meetings, the Board has discussed the following
requests: 1) Co. Ditch 9, Petition for Outlet, Maple Ridge 3rd & 4th;
2) Co. Ditch 9 & 21, Street Crossing, Royal Meadows; and 3) Co. Ditch
9 & 21, Petition for Outlet, Royal Meadows. Present for today';s discussion
were Scott Dahlke, Meyer-Rohlin; Kerry Saxton, SWCD; and Wayne Kessler,
Mayor-City of St. Michael. Saxton provided an update, stating that yesterday
he received the figures for design of two of the ponds in the proposed development.
Figures for the remaining four ponds have not yet been received. He said
the two ponds meet storm flow and run off rate requirements. Saxton met
with the MPCA yesterday, and the MPCA will review the area. The MPCA had
received plans from the developer according to ditch law. Brian Asleson,
Assistant County Attorney, said his intent is to fax an agreement to the
City of St. Michael for consideration at their next meeting. This agreement
would address maintenance and repair responsibility of the City for County
Ditch 9 and 21. In response to Eichelberg, Asleson indicated that once the
Agreement has been signed, the City or developer would be responsible for
cleanout of the ponds. The County becomes involved with the flow downstream.
Asleson said in regard to the two outlet requests it may be appropriate
for the Board to approve the requests contingent upon MPCA approval if necessary.
On the crossings request, the approval could be conditioned upon an agreement
with the City of St. Michael, where the City would be responsible for repair
and maintenance and also for keeping clean the culverts underneath the crossings.
In response to Russek, Dahlke explained that the culvert size has not yet
been determined but the preliminary data reflects at least a 6 x 6 box at
the minimum. Asleson also spoke with Mike Couri, Attorney for the City of
Albertville, who felt that eventually a three-way joint powers agreement
should be entered into. Asleson said it would be the goal for the County
to ultimately remove itself from the picture.

Eichelberg moved to approve the outlet requests into Ditch 9 and Ditch
21 contingent upon a MPCA permit, seconded by Jude. Sawatzke questioned
whether this met Saxton's approval. Saxton responded that it would for the
two ponds reviewed, subject to MPCA review. If the MPCA would identify a
problem, then the plans for the outlets would have to be altered. Eichelberg
felt the motion should be amended to include the crossing request on Ditch
9 and 21 contingent upon reaching an agreement with the City of St. Michael
regarding cleanout of County ditches. Discussion occurred on responsibility
of cleanout of ditches. Sawatzke clarified that ultimately, the agreement
would be that the City would take responsibility for any repair or cleanout
of the ditches. Asleson said the agreement will first be approved by the
City and then presented to the County Board for approval.

Saxton clarified that he has only received figures for two of the six
ponds in the subdivision. He said the Board needs to take action to provide
for an outlet for the ponds. He suggested that the developer place 6"
temporary pipes as planned and remove/replace them if they do not work.
Dahlke responded that he was willing to accept approval of a temporary installation
of culverts according to the designs submitted. The agreement and final
approval could come at a later date. Dahlke clarified that the figures on
the four remaining ponds have not been submitted as they are later phases
in the project. After further discussion, Eichelberg and Jude withdrew their
motion.

Eichelberg moved to approve the outlet request for the Maple Ridge and
Royal Meadows developments. Approval is contingent upon MPCA approval if
necessary and temporary placement of pipes with sizing is subject to change
if necessary. Approval of the municipal street crossing in Royal Meadows
is contingent upon reaching an agreement with the City of St. Michael. Motion
was seconded by Jude. Sawatzke requested that the City review the ditch
slopes as this could be a potentially dangerous situation in a residential
area. He felt the City should evaluate the slopes and make the developer
correct them as needed. The motion carried 5-0.

Gruber referenced the 1998 Census Estimate received from the State Demographer.
Since placing this item on the Agenda, Gruber learned that the figures were
subject to change and that they were not to be released to the public until
July. Gruber will present the official numbers when he has received them.

On a motion by Jude, second by Eichelberg, all voted to approve REGISTERED
LAND SURVEY NO. 31, as submitted by Darren T. Lang, described in part as:
Government Lot 1, Section 35, Township 122, Range 27, Wright County, Minnesota,
except that part of the north 990.00 feet of the west 440.00 feet of said
Government Lot 1; and also except that part of said Government Lot 1 which
lies northwesterly of the southeasterly line of Outlot 1, SULLIVAN'S SUGAR
LAKE SHORES, with all outstanding taxes having been paid; there is no green
acre liability involved; there are no new roads involved; and the property
has been surveyed by Ellestad Land Services in accordance with provisions
of Chapter 508 of Minnesota Statutes.

On a motion by Mattson, second by Russek, all voted to approve the claims
as listed in the abstract, subject to audit.

Marc Mattice, Parks Administrator, requested approval of Parks Department
Priorities for Mn/DOT, as Mn/DOT needs to purchase suitable replacement
property due to the impacts of the Highway 24 project on Clearwater/Pleasant
Park. The first priority was the triangle owned by Hank Potter at Ney Park,
but the offer was not accepted. Mattice outlined the priority list: 1) Corridor
at Stanley Eddy Park to connect the middle and South units; 2) Parcel located
next to Beebe Lake Park; and 3) Land adjacent to Harry Larson County Forest
for trail enhancements. Russek moved to approve the priorities, seconded
by Jude. Jude clarified that if Potter changes his mind, that his land is
pursued first. Mattice said that was their top priority. Motion carried
5-0.

Mattice said the Wright County Snowmobile Association receives grant
and aid funding from the State and reimbursement of funds is handled through
the County. On a motion by Jude, second by Russek, roll call vote carried
5-0 to adopt Resolution #99-32 authorizing signatures on the grant applications
for the Wright County Snowmobile Association for the 1999-2000 Season.

Mattice said the lowest quote received for removal of asbestos on the
Dirkswager house located in Ney Park was $2,300.00. The fire department
is ready to proceed after removal. Mattice stated the Montissippi Project
has come in under budget and requested Board approval to use $2,300.00 from
the Montissippi funds toward the asbestos removal. Jude moved to approve
the request, seconded by Russek, carried unanimously.

Wayne Fingalson, Highway Engineer, presented a cooperative agreement
with the City of Albertville for highway improvements associated with the
outlet mall development. Fingalson distributed a change to paragraph 8 of
the draft agreement relating to the County's involvement due to claims which
may arise. This would be added at the request of the City of Albertville.
Russek moved to approve the agreement with the recommended change to paragraph
8, seconded by Eichelberg, carried 5-0.

Fingalson presented a draft resolution and Detour Agreement 78758 with
Mn/DOT providing for payment of $5,360.21 to Wright County for life consumed
on CSAH 6 as part of the TH24 project. Russek moved to adopt Resolution
#99-33 authorizing signatures and execution of the Agreement, seconded by
Mattson, carried 5-0 on a roll call vote. As part of the motion, Fingalson
was directed to contact the Township relative to their applying for funds
for unofficial detour routes.

Fingalson presented a draft resolution and Detour Agreement 78792 with
Mn/DOT providing for payment of approximately $26,000.00 to Wright County
for an unofficial detour route. As part of the TH12 detour, road life was
consumed on CSAH 30. Jude moved to adopt Resolution #99-34, seconded by
Russek, carried 5-0 on a roll call vote.

Fingalson said that the Contract Sealcoating award was not specifically
identified with the other seasonal requirement awards in the 4-20-99 Board
minutes. His recommendation was to award the bid to Allied Blacktop (Maple
Grove), for the bid amount of $101,548.30. Russek moved to approve the recommendation,
seconded by Eichelberg, carried 5-0.

At the last Board meeting, Norman was requested to research potential
funding scenarios for Sheriff Department equipment upgrades as recommended
by the Communications Committee. Norman identified four alternatives: 1)
E911 Fund, which is a dedicated fund to enhance equipment purchases in the
Sheriff's Department; 2) General Fund or fund from the General Fund with
repayment from the E911 Fund when a surplus is realized; 3) Site Improvements
Line Item, Budget 820 however this would impact remodel plans for the Government
Center; and 4) Sheriff Budget, Furniture & Equipment Line Item. Norman
said the fourth option, Sheriff Furniture & Equipment Line Item, shows
expenditures of $18,690.47 to date for 1999 with plans for additional expenditures.
The option would be to show the actual expenditures realizing that the budget
may be over at year end.

Jude moved to approve Option 1 with funding from the E911 account with
the understanding that expenditures will be kept track of and the account
will reflect a deficit. Motion carried 5-0 on a second by Eichelberg.

On a motion by Russek, second by Mattson, all voted to schedule a Committee
Of The Whole meeting on 5-18-99 at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will be with Doug
Malchow, U of M Extension Service.

Due to participation by Sawatzke and Jude in the EOC Training on 5-12-99,
Russek moved to cancel the Building and Personnel Committee meetings scheduled
for that day. The meeting will be held on the next regularly scheduled committee
meeting day in two weeks. Motion carried 5-0 on a second by Jude.

Mattson requested that the Board appoint a new representative on the
Fair Board due to conflicts he has with their meeting schedule. On a motion
by Russek, second by Eichelberg, all voted to accept Mattson's resignation
and to appoint Jude as his replacement. Mattson was commended for his work
on the Fair Board.

Russek moved to authorize attendance at a Cluster Planning Seminar, Otsego
City Hall, 5-19-99 at 6:30 p.m., seconded by Jude, carried 5-0.